Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Well hell . . . I just couldn't stand the pressure anymore and I bought one. At the rehearsal last night for the wedding I shot today, I simply had nowhere to place a camera in the back for a wide shot -- a tripod would have been in the way no matter where I put it, and there was nothing to clamp a magic arm to.

So I decided this morning to run to Target and get the Hero 2, then went to Best Buy for the Wifi BacPac thing with the remote. Needless to say, I had very little time to charge and set everything up, as the wedding was an hour away.

My experience was very positive, except for one big nuisance: the firmware updates. None of them have gone right. For the GoPro body itself, I had to resort to a manual upgrade, as the one through their proprietary software kept failing. Then, when I tried to update the Wifi BacPac, it simply froze mid-update. I ran out of time to mess with it, and just left the BacPac and remote at home.

I'm impressed with the results. For a tiny camera that I suction onto a wall, this is simply amazing. I don't know how well it will mix with my HMC40's, but I'll make it work.

I attached a screen grab. I love the wide angle, nearly fisheye look. With some noise reduction and levels correction, I think it will turn out pretty decent. And yes, that's my weird head in the bottom right corner with the camera.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi Corey

They are good aren't they... I like the fact that you have nothing to lose running a hero and a lot to gain!!

I don't shoot at the very wide angle but the middle one (I think it's 127 degrees???) Yeah I have had stuff in the shot that I never realised the very wide angle would get to but it still doesn't detract from the overall shot!

I'm shooting weddings on two HMC82's which are basically HMC40's in a shoulder mount and XLR audio and the Hero mixes in very well!! (I gave up on the new AC-130..just didn't cut it for weddings!!)

In Summer, watch out for fogging on the GoPro if you use the waterproof case!! I had a few outdoor weddings where the case fogged up so I bought a skeleton case with the open sides, and just to make sure I take off the front dome so the camera can breathe! Never had an issue in Churches but outdoors might be an issue as I run mine from way before the ceremony..then do the briidal congrats and only then get back to turn the Hero off so it sometimes runs for nearly 2 hours!!!

John Knight uses the camera inside the limo too..I haven't tried that but there are dozens of innovation uses for it!!

Chris

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Used mine yesterday at an outfit called Adrenaline Forest where you climb around on all sorts of scary wire bridges and heaps of flying foxes up to about 30m off the ground...used the head harness...turned out great. Didn't have it on wide screen unfortunately, and the battery ran out after about one and a half hours...will get a battery bacpac...also need some stuff on the lens to disperse droplets... it rained a bit...just great not to have to worry about water...

Then this morning filmed two of my daughters finishing a 10km fun run with it...and took stills of them together after. I like it...

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Do the UK models shoot at 50p?
All the information I've seen seems to indicates they shoot at 60p. If so how do UK users find it mixes in with 50p footage?

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

George, one of the menu options is 1080p 25 PAL

Just download the manual from the GoPro site. There's not much to know - unlike most cams :- )

Pete

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thank you Peter.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

I just bought a second Hero 2 because I'm so excited about the first one I bought. The possibilities boggle my mind now that I've been playing with them. Thank you all for helping to convert me from "not really interested" to "disturbingly obsessed."

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Not sure how it could be used at a wedding but one of the ways of getting different shots is to put the GoPro on the end of a pole - the most interesting skiing/snowboarding shots use them to get the person filming in the shot, or stuck out in front looking back when on a chairlift...I need to get a telescoping one or a compact monopod to carry in a day pack, or perhaps modify something from a hardware shop. Rain-x on the glass certainly keeps water drops from distorting the image. The flat lens case looks good if you want sharp underwater shots transitioning to above water...more cost...sigh...

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

I can think of a few uses for these at weddings. The first thing that comes to mind is having one up front, when you have a church that won't let a camera guy be up front. It could be discretely hidden just about anywhere. The other thing would be for some unique shots with it mounted to a monopod. It could be held up really high for some cool stuff maybe. Also, could be used as a safety shot mounted to a pew getting the wedding party coming into the church etc.

I'd like to get one, and see how well it works.Gotta get the cash first! lol

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi Corey

The more you use them the more you discover uses for them...What worries me is the big aluminium case I'm using, full of backs, cases and mounts. Despite their rather unprofessional look they soon become an essential part of your gear .... I think I need to also get another one..and yes it's easy to hide in a Church!! My mate Philip in the UK is trying to convince GoPro to loan him 15 units to shoot a wedding with the WiFi kits totally remotely....That could be interesting.??

Chris

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

All this enthusiasm has persuaded me to give one a try it's on order and should be here in a couple of days.
At yesterday's wedding I could see so many opportunities and possibilities.

Just a couple of questions to those who use them. Is it possible to get a monitor output to assist with positioning/framing? If you can and do which monitor do you use? The clip-on LCD BacPac looks very small and impossible to see if set high or hard against a wall.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi George - 2 options.

http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/wi-fi-bacpac/ to send the image to your smartphone wirelessly.

Or:

http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/...leton-housing/ run a cable from the camera into a small monitor.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thanks John.

1 - I don't have a smart phone

2 - That housing looks a bit cumbersome and will draw attention. I was hoping for a more discrete way of maybe attaching a small HDMI monitor. It looks from the information on the site that there is a mini socket on the side. I only want to use it for initial set-up not leave it connected. I am wondering if something like this might work:
Lilliput UK · 668GL-70NP/H/Y · 7 inch field monitor with HDMI and internal battery

but I don't want to buy one unless I know that it will

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Yeah - that should work with the right cable - you'll still need the skeleton housing though to be able to access the output plug.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Because it is so wide angle, all you need to do is point it in the general direction (although maybe carefully) and you will get the scene...can't miss...

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thanks again John. So the only way to monitor anything out from the basic camera is by using the skeleton housing, I won't be able to plug straight into the mini HDMI socket on the side of the camera, is that right?

Renton, I appreciate that it's got a superwide angle but I don't envisage using that setting as it's image is so strong that I could only use it once or twice, whereas the more natural view would give me more 'usable' footage, or at least footage I'd prefer. I guess that for the sort of work it is designed for the superwide is fabulous but in terms of a wedding video less is more.

My main intention is for easy discrete placing in otherwise inaccessible positions.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi George

I'm a cheapskate so I made up a long cable (cos my Hero is usually up on a light stand) and plug it into a 7" LCD TFT monitor but a low res one!! I found a hi res one with HDMI in but they want an arm and a leg for them so I use the standard one that is used in the back of car headrests...All of $35.00 plus I use a spare 12v battery pack from my stedicam monitor ..the quality isn't much to look at but it's perfectly fine for framing. All you need for the interface is an RCA on one end of some screen cable and then a 4 pole 2.5mm mini jack plug to go into the camera ....going from plug body to tip the first two rings on the plug shaft are ground and video out ...the 3rd ring and tip are audio out but I don't bother with them.

Makes framing a piece of cake ...however as Renton says it's hard to miss even set to 127 degree FOV...I used to eyeball the camera. I have a LCD BacPak and it's virtually hopeless unless you are inside!!

Chris

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thanks Chris. Using your method I will need the skeleton case though, in the illustrations that seems to make the camera look more bulky and noticeable, or have I got it wrong. I have a couple of similar 7" LCD monitors but they don't have a HDMI input. I'm not bothered about image quality (on the monitor) just want to be sure of the framing I thought if I could use a quick connection between camera and monitor to square up the framing, then pull it out of the camera and let it go.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

I find the LCD backPack to have been one of the best investments I have made.

Like others I simply bought a GoPro as an inexpensive specialized tool for 1 specific job (mounting to a motorbike for 1 project), but have found the GoPro comes with me on every shoot these days as it is so versatile.

The LCD backpack makes the camera more bulky (so its not as discrete), and heavier (which is not good for extreme sports stuff), and draws more battery power (though it can be turned off).

For 90% of the shots I can just look at the screen mounted to the GoPro and decide if the framing is good or not. Once I am happy with the framing I simply remove the LCD, and swap out the back panel (takes less than 30 seconds to do this). So long as you don't change the mounting then the shot stays the same.

For 10% of the shots I have to mount it on a canoe, or some place inaccessible. So all I do is set it up in the general direction, roll some video, stop it, take the camera out of the case and review it. Generally after 2 or 3 shots I'll get the shot I want and then set it up without the LCD.

All the above works well in situations where you have time to set up your shots.

Space and weight is premium to me; so I prefer the LCD screen over having to lug around an external monitor and its batteries.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi George

The skeleton case is exactly the same size as the waterproof case..Only difference is it has cutouts on the back and on the sides..if you don't need the waterproof case you could just drill a big hole where the plug needs to go....the normal monitors use the video out plug (top of the camera side ..just a 2.5mm plug.

Of course I just plug in the monitor, frame it up, then un-plug it at weddings and use the same monitor during the ceremony on my A-Camera so I can watch framing while I'm shooting cutaways with the B-cam!! Quality isn't that good but at least I can see if the camera has been accidentally bumped and the framing is out...I probably use it on the GoPro for a minute, purely to adjust framing so the monitor has a dual purpose and on the A-Cam it saves me having to run back to the tripod and squint into the EVF (mine don't have LCD's as it's part of the EVF)... From maybe 10' away I can ascertain that all is well and continue using the B-Cam.

Chris

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thanks for your input Simon though you can probably appreciate that the situations I want to cover at weddings are somewhat different as I'll probably be placing it high in the air on a stand or shoved in a corner or against a back wall with no line of sight to the back and difficult to shoot, check and then replace exactly. The monitor I'm considering is self powered and weighs only 600gms. so not a great deal extra to carry I just need to be certain of the connection to the camera before I order one. I'm still unclear as to whether or not it will connect direct to the HDMI socket on the camera or if I need the skeleton case even when using a HDMI cable.

I may be being too cautious but when I use the CX550 in this way even though it has got a screen which I can angle to see the view it still takes some manipulating to get the shot set up to get exactly what I want so that I don't chop heads or other body parts.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

You don't need a smart phone. It could be a tablet or video iPod. GoPro also talk about streaming video to the Internet so I am guessing that any computer would be able to display he image perhaps one of those little netbooks would be suitable
The naked GoPro doesn't have a tripod screw or any other means of holding the camera which doesn't matter for many uses of course as you want to keep it in its protective waterproof case. The skeleton housing is like the waterproof housing in that you can use it to attach the GoPro to various mounts but it also allows the A/V cables to be connected.

I can confirm HDMI out to my 10.2" cheapo portable LCD screen displays what the GoPro sees/is recording. This is the monitor 10'' HDMI monitor media player, with 1024*600 resolution, support VGA input,HDMI inpu I am sure that other cheapo LCD monitors with HDMI connections will work fine too.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thanks Nigel, that's very helpful.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

John, Nigel, and George:

I bought the WiFi Combo Kit for the specific reason of monitoring/controlling the GoPros on my phone and tablet. However, there is no app now (even though the packaging claims otherwise), no live streaming, and no bluetooth. None of this is due out until the fall at the earliest. So, all the wifi bacpac does is start/stop recording via the remote. A total ripoff, and lots of people (including me) are furious over these false claims by GoPro. I returned it.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

I'm wondering if the WiFi function will ever be available :- (

The reason is that although ways have been found to shoot stills direct to the Ipad, no-one has yet to my knowledge figured out how to do the same with video even though there would be a huge demand from Ipad3 owners (like me) who want to use the Ipad as a monitor.

Seems like GoPro may have jumped the gun and cannot actually deliver. I'd settle for an Android only App as then I could at least use my Galaxy S3 which has a decent 4.8" screen.

That monitor Nigel linked to looks decent. I was on the point of clicking to order then decided to check out the Lilliput range. The Lilliput 5DII version is quite affordable if you buy on Ebay and has a fold out screen shade. And at 7" rather than 10" it would suit me better - the Ipad is of course about 10" and that seems very big to me. Decisions.

Meanwhile I think I had a narrow escape as I ordered the GoPro WiFi kit but it was lost in the post and the vendor has refunded me. Phew!

BTW the field of view you get with the GoPro is not a lot different to that of the Canon 15mm fisheye (though the distortion is a lot different). I've had the old version which is f2.8 for many years. Its so wide and the f-stop so open that you don't need to worry about focusing much. I use it a lot for 1st dances as it can perform in very low light on the 5DII. And its good for inclusive atmospheric scene establishing shots at any stage of the day. Big difference in maintenance though - the GoPro replacement lens is £10 whereas when I got the vunerable front element of my 15mm replaced it was into the £hundreds.

Pete

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

It's not strictly using the whole full screen of the iPad as a monitor but the new Canon WFT-E6 (for C300 & 1DX) & WFT-E7 (for 5D3) wireless widgets allow you to access & control the cameras just using a web browser & ad hoc WiFi connection so can be used with an iPhone or iPad. At a slightly cheaper level the Parrot AR.Drone quadricopter streams a heads-up view from its on-board HD camera to the iPhone/iPad/Android app controlling it AR.Drone 2.0. Parrot new wi-fi quadricopter- AR.Drone 2.0 Parrot new wi-fi quadricopter - Fly with iPhone and iPad, Record videos in HD, Share on YouTube. So there is no fundamental technical obstacle to GoPro doing something similar.
[/QUOTE]

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thanks - thats great news!

Pete

Eye-fi Pro X2 SD cards
 

Has anybody used these with the Hero2?

Eye-Fi card PAGE 2 for the HD Hero camera

Supplementary question, I tried to monitor out from the composite/video out socket on the side of the Hero2 but I get a scrambled picture. I am in UK and have set it in the PAL format. I can't find anything to indicate that I need any other set up to monitor through that socket, has anybody else found this or have a solution?

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

I have an Eye-Fi card on its way to me as I'm also interested in their use in the 5DII for both stills and video - and possibly the little Pannys as well. It doesn't look too promising for the 5DII as Eye-Fi only supports SD cards rather than CF cards but some people have had success using SD to CF adapters so I've ordered a couple of versions of those as well.

I've now got another GoPro WiFi pack following Nigel's post and a reassuring discussion with a main dealer in the UK. So far so good. A real pain updating everything but that may be something to do with Cineform's connection with GoPro. I've used Cineform off and on for a few years and always found their updating procedures awkward and infuriating (though the support is quick).

Pete

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Pete, Please keep us posted with your opinion of the Eye-Fi card.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

I've got a photographer buddy who bought a GoPro (I think V2) a few weeks ago and he's going to let me borrow it to check out the HD Video capabilities so I can see how well it interchanges with my NX5U footage.

I went to the GoPro site and viewed their demo video, and I will say it is very impressive. Grant it, it's at something like 600x400 resolution on the web... I'm really curious to see the 1080 footage on a HDTV and my timeline in Premiere.

I saw BandH offers a package that includes a steadicam for the thing, and footage I saw of that looked pretty impressive as well, for being <$400 total.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Well I used it at the wedding yesterday but found it difficult to aim without a monitor when using on a high stand or in awkward positions, I definitely need to be able to see what it is 'seeing'. I used the medium angle as the full wide image looked too distorted at the edges for anything other than a special effect or novelty shot and I'd only use such a shot once or twice. Having to take a guess at what would be included resulted in getting either too much foreground or too much ceiling and even a slight off-horizontal is an exaggerated slope.
Does anybody have any helpful tips for getting a good aim when the camera is in a position which is not easy to reach.

With a nod towards Kyles reservations, the quality is fine on computer but on a large TV it is noticeable different to regular footage and in anything other than perfect lighting it is soft and grainy, and the auto-only exposure burns out highlights; some way of locking exposure would be helpful.

My initial conclusion is that for it's designed use, getting otherwise difficult or impossible or cool funky shots and putting them into productions that will be viewed online it is perfect but disappointing for quality use in HD which will be viewed on large screen TV.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

I refer the honourable gentleman to my reply #16 earlier in this thread where I reached the same conclusion.

Re: Eye-fi Pro X2 SD cards
 

[QUOTE=
Supplementary question, I tried to monitor out from the composite/video out socket on the side of the Hero2 but I get a scrambled picture. I am in UK and have set it in the PAL format. I can't find anything to indicate that I need any other set up to monitor through that socket, has anybody else found this or have a solution?[/QUOTE]

I had the same problem. Couldn't find any reported issues but for the heck of it downloaded the latest firmware update - Viola - it now works!

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi George and Nigel

Just bear in mind that the original post was about using a GoPro for Renton's ski holiday not as a primary wedding camera....if that worked my equipment costs would plummet...!!

I always place a GoPro on a Church balcony but I often don't even use the footage...It makes a nice establishing shot before the wedding and if the MOB walks in front of my main camera in the aisle so I have 30 seconds of her ample behind in my viewfinder I can use 30 seconds of the Hero footage as a cover shot. It obviously also depends on the lighting in the Church... UK Churches do have a tendency to be very dark, so if my main cameras were going to struggle then I wouldn't even bother with the Hero.

For me it's very little extra effort to set up the balcony cam and it has already saved my bacon once!!

Chris

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Thanks Art, I'll try that, I hadn't updated the firmware as I understood that it was only necessary to use the WiFi app, but I'll give it a try.

Chris, I appreciate what you say, I never intended it to be my main, or even 'B' source. I don't know how Philip will go on when he attempts a GoPro only wedding.

I read across in the GoPro threads that you've removed the dome from the case to prevent fogging, would you advise doing that; looking through my footage from Saturday I can see that it fogged after 15 minutes or so, that footage is completely shot.
I might end up just using this for car chase footage as they speed off from the church to the reception.

Oh, the overhead shots during the dancing are good though I should have gone for full wide. Still this was just just the first outing.

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi George

The dome on only my skeleton housing is removed...if the weather is bad I'll use the waterproof one ...Someone else suggested using the camera totally removed from the case so I met the idea halfway and the last shoot definately had no fogging. However I never used any of the footage!!

Yeah you do need to update the firmware for video video..it never occured to tell you as I did an update a while back and video out was fine.

I did a videoshoot at a golf resort in June and we had the use of little electric carts to use to speed around the course...as we sped off around the greens and fairways I realised I never bought the Hero ...talk about dumb!!! I have more shoots there in the new season so I'll make sure the cam is fastened to the cart straight after the reception!!

Chris

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Chris.

I don't get outdoor weddings here (well I have had one) so all of my use would be indoors so the weather wouldn't be a problem, but you, or someone, mentioned that the coating on the lens is very susceptible to scratching, that worries me, I guess it means extremely careful handling as without the dome it is very vulnerable. How do you attach it when using it without the case?

Following Art's advise I'm attempting to upgrade the firmware. I say attempting 'cause this is my fourth try and the fourth 'Firmware Update Failed' notice. I've read that this updating procedure is a big problem, any tips?

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

Hi George

I updated a while back and as far as I remember it works OK!! Maybe someone else has tips....I think I'll stick with using the camera inside a skeleton case with the dome off (I also drilled a few holes in the top and bottom to create an airflow) With the Dome off the lens is pretty protected still.

I'm not too sure how they attach a bare camera...double sided tape??? The skeleton housing works great!!

I'll try mine with the latest update and see if it updates OK and let you know!

Chris

Re: Go Pro cameras
 

It didn't work for me so I emailed them and they sent me the file to install...straightforward...